Global Director, Indigenous and Community Leadership in Conservation at The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is seeking an exceptional Global Director, Indigenous and Community Leadership in Conservation (ICLC) to provide visionary leadership for one of its most important global conservation priorities. Based in Africa with a remote regional scope, this senior leadership role will drive transformative conservation initiatives that strengthen Indigenous Peoples, Tribal Nations, and local community leadership worldwide.

The successful candidate will lead a global multidisciplinary team, shape organizational strategy, build influential partnerships, and integrate Indigenous and community-led approaches across conservation, climate, science, policy, and finance programmes. This is a unique opportunity to influence global conservation outcomes while advancing equity, sustainability, and community governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and strengthen TNC’s global Indigenous and Community Leadership in Conservation (ICLC) strategy.

  

• Translate strategic vision into actionable frameworks, priorities, partnerships, and investments.

• Drive the integration of ICLC across conservation, climate, and policy programmes.

  

• Embed Indigenous and community leadership into organizational strategies and decision-making.

• Advance governance, funding, finance mechanisms, and partnership strategies.

  

• Position ICLC as a key driver of conservation impact and organizational transformation.

• Build organizational capacity to partner effectively with Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

  

• Lead and manage a global, multidisciplinary, and geographically dispersed team.

• Foster an inclusive, high-performing culture aligned with TNC’s values.

• Serve as an expert advisor within TNC’s Conservation Leadership and Equitable Conservation teams.

• Develop succession plans and strengthen future leadership capacity.

• Represent TNC as a global spokesperson in conservation and climate forums.

• Build strategic partnerships with Indigenous organizations, NGOs, multilateral institutions, and donors.

• Support global fundraising, donor engagement, and resource mobilization efforts.

• Ensure effective programme delivery and measurable conservation outcomes.

• Collaborate across global conservation, climate, science, policy, and impact finance teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

• Minimum of 7 years of leadership experience in conservation, advocacy, non-profit, or related sectors.

• Majority of professional experience gained outside the United States, with emphasis on the Global South.

• Demonstrated commitment to global literacy and equitable conservation.

• Proven experience leading and managing global multidisciplinary teams.

• Experience working within complex, matrixed international organizations.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

• Strong executive decision-making, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement abilities.

• People management experience through direct or project leadership.

• Master’s degree is highly desirable.

• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in conservation, Indigenous governance, or related fields is an advantage.

• Experience in fundraising, budgeting, organizational strategy, and performance management is desirable.

• Strong analytical, operational, political, and partnership-building capabilities.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their application through The Nature Conservancy’s official careers portal.

Application Deadline: 2 September 2026

Apply online via the official TNC Careers portal.

The Nature Conservancy encourages experienced conservation leaders with a passion for Indigenous and community-led approaches to apply and help shape the future of global conservation.